AsSupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsare getting closer to their summer release dates, a new report indicates a potential problem for theDC UniverseandMarvel Cinematic Universeinstallments. 2025 is set to be one of the most important years for both DC Studios and Marvel Studios, asSupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsare going to be battling each other at the box office this July. However, the two properties are potentially at risk of losing a very crucial market.
With U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariff mandates on China,Varietyreports that the China Film Administration has confirmed that they intend to reduce their import of U.S. films,which would affect major superhero blockbusters likeSupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. In an official statement from the China Film Administration, they gave the following comments:
The wrong action of the U.S. government to abuse tariffs on China will inevitably further reduce the domestic audience’s favorability towards American films. We will follow the market rules, respect the audience’s choice, and moderately reduce the number of American films imported.
However, according to sources withVariety, Marvel Studios' upcomingThunderbolts*movie is still set to get its release in China, as they only a day ago"secured a coveted China release date of April 30,“which the trade calls"an unusual move if a ban were truly imminent.”
What China’s Reducing Of U.S. Films Means For Superman & The Fantastic Four: First Steps
China has always been one of the biggest markets for Hollywood movies after the domestic box office, especially in the comic book movie genre,which is why this situation could have big ramifications forSuperman andThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. While it doesn’t necessarily mean that other markets can’t helpThe Fantastic Four: First StepsandSupermanget solid box office results, not having releases in China will definitely be a loss for both DC Studios and Marvel Studios. That’s why it will be interesting to see how theThunderbolts*release in China does for the MCU installment.
InSuperman’scase,the loss of its China release is another conundrum that has been added to DC Studios' challenges. Not only is James Gunn’s movie at risk of not getting its due in China, but the film is currently in the midst ofa Superman lawsuit between Warner Bros. Discoveryand the estate of Joe Schuster (co-creator of the Superman IP), with the latter making a case for the studio not having the rights to release it in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and Canada. While Warner Bros. Discovery has filed a motion to dismiss the ongoing lawsuit, no updates had emerged at the time of the story’s publication.
Our Take On Superman & The Fantastic Four: First Steps’s China Releases
Although time will tell how President Trump’s administration responds to the China Film Administration’s official comments,SupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswill ideally be able to perform well enough in their respective worldwide box offices with or without China. After years of waiting foraSupermanmovie, as well as a proper reboot for the Fantastic Four, it would be a huge shame to see either film being hurt financially. But for now, the world will have to wait and see what becomes ofSupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, both commercially and critically.
Superman
Cast
Superman (2025): Superman follows the dual life of Clark Kent, a journalist in Metropolis, as he endeavors to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Set against a backdrop of personal discovery, the film explores his journey of identity as he navigates his existence in a complex world.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Fantastic 4: First Steps features Marvel’s First Family navigating their dual roles as superheroes and family members in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. They defend Earth from a formidable space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer, testing their familial bonds and heroic resolve.
